Hey blogger friends!

I am sorry I haven't posted in a while.  It has been a long month and it isn't even over yet.    So, here are the highlights:

I have mentioned in a prior entry that we have a 16 year old daughter who is pregnant.  Though we are in no way condoning her choice to sin, we are loving her and looking forward with excitement to the new life God is giving us, and encouraging her and teh father of the baby to get their hearts right with God totally and completely and seek His way of life for theirs.  The plan for our daughter at this point is to continue with her schooling and then pursue training to be a medical transcriptionist so she can work from home and earn an income and still care for her child.  We have encouraged the father to get his GED (he is an almost 18 year old 10th grader) and to pursue his dream of being a diesel mechanic, but first and foremost, we have encouraged both of them to pursue God.  They are making that effort.  A week ago, at the urging and conviction of the Holy Spirit, they both totally confessed to us much more than we ever wanted to know or hear, but though it broke our hearts to no end, we are thankful that they listened to God's leading and cleared their consciences.  Now it is my turn to let God help me forgive and move forward as I am really struggling with all the lies and the deception that they told and devised. 

I keep trying to remember that God must feel the same way I am though when I choose to sin and lie to cover it up.  How painful it has been to me as a parent to learn of all this, but how painful it must be to God too.

Then, our oldest daughter had applied to a bible college, this decision coming last September after she had already decided on a secular college.  She was reminded of a call that God had placed on her life and she had let slide, and last September she decided to pursue that call instead of her original plans.  So, she has worked very hard to make that call a reality.  Unfortunately, she has hit roadblocks every step of the way.  She got only a paltry sum from her FASFA and some Stafford Loans, but not enough to pay for it all.  She was told if she made just 1 point more on her ACT she could have received an automatic half tuition scholarship, so she tested as a standby at the last national ACT test date and she scored not only 1 point more, but 3 more!  She was elated!  Then, to our dismay, we found that the scholarship coordinator had erroneously conveyed to us the information.  Scoring higher on the ACT only made her eligible to apply for a scholarship that is awarded to only 2 students a year.  So, she applied for that, but we have no idea when she will know if she got that or not and when we called to check on it, we found that the scholarship coordinator no longer works there and the person who is filling in only takes voicemail and never returns a call.  Kayla has been in tears and I have been too, wondering just what God is wanting from her/us?

So, today, Kayla makes a decision that she will try another college.  It is not a bible college, but it is a christian college.  She made calls today and found out lots of encouraging things that makes attending there a bigger possibility, but we are under a time crunch to get everything in by August 1.  We will make a trip to this college on Friday to tour the campus and to meet with the enrollment and financial counselors.  We are praying God will give us direction and peace above all.  Kayla said she just wants the stress to end so she can move forward with her life.

And the heat..... if life wasn't tough enough this month, the heat is sapping what little energy I do have. 

But, a friend reminded me of a verse that I have printed out and am holding onto and I thought I would share it with you all as well:

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  2 Corinthians 2:8-9

No matter how hard life may become, God gives us hope in His Word.  We just have to hang on to it.

I believe good things are coming because these trials are not going to destroy me!

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Jul. 18, 2007 - You are alive

Posted by tulipmama

I have been waiting for you to come back to us bloggers. I previously had a blog called myboysand1ladybug but had to shut it down. I am now up and running again. Wow what a verse, He does hold us near doesn't He. When we are spinning our wheels, He is like "Hey I am right here come rest awhile" and we can rest assured in verses like that one. Life is what we make it and you are making that sweet lemonade it sounds like. Have a blessed day.

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Jul. 18, 2007 - :)

Posted by CelticMom

Keep on turning to the Lord and looking for the answers He places in your heart. You are walking the right path.

How exciting... a new baby!

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Jul. 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by ApplesofGold

WOW. What an amazing testimony this is to read. You are so gracefully handling all that is going on. I'm praying for you and your daughters and the father of the baby and your sweet grandchild.
I love that verse. I think I'm going to write it down, too.
Holly

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Jul. 21, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by smjlangley

Oh Donna!! What a load you have on your shoulders!!! I haven't been in a while but I've been thinking about you and praying for you! You will continue to be in my prayers. You have strength girl, you don't see it but I do!!! Praying for you all!!1

Melissa

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